Backwater control for sewers



May 3 H938. D. H. ANDERSON 2,116,422

BACKWATER CONTROL FOR SEWERS Filed April 19, 1937 2 sheets-sheet 1 2.1120121 FROM so-uRcE FROM Hause or Pnlssune 92 J @unis Jl. Hude/Iwan May 3, 1938. D. H. ANDERSON BACKWATER CONTROL FOR SEWERS Filed April 19, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 blllllnvlzll/l 22 25 2l 2o el SHO'. nu;

lil

Patented May 3, 1938 UNITED STATES BACKWATER CONTROL SEWERS Dennis H. Anderson, `Paducah, Kyu Application April 19, 1937, SerialNo. 137,877

e claims. (el. i13 2-1.) f

This invention relates to a back-water control for sewers. p An object of the invention is the provision of a mechanism for preventing water from a sewer from backing up into a, conduit leading from the sewerto a building while taking care of the waste sewage from the building during the time that the sewer has been cut off from the building.

f Another object of the invention is the provision of a compact unitary structure for cutting olf a conduitV from the sewer to a building to prevent water or` sewage from backing up into the building,`lthe,device being set in operation by a floatcontrolled means which will cause the gate valve to be moved to closed position under sufcient l force to cut through debris whichhas collected Figure 5 is a vertical section of the cushionat the valve, the debris ordinarily preventing closingof the valve. Afurther object of the invention is the provision of a back-water control for sewage pipes leading from a sewer to a building in which al valve is positively moved to `a closed position `when the water rises to a predetermined height, theoperating means for the Valve including a tube in communicationwith a casing at onegend which is adapted to be lled with Water whereby the `tube acting as a lever will be lowered by the weighted casing.

This invention will be best understood from a consideration of the following detailed description, in View of the accompanying `drawings forming a part of the specification; nevertheless, it is to be understood that the invention is not confined to the disclosure, being susceptible of such changes and modiiications Vas dene no material departure from the salient features of the inven-h entering a building and for takingcare of the sewage during the closing of the sewer pipe,

Figure 2 is a view in perspective of the arrangement for causing closing of the sewer pipe,

Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical section ofthe tube and casing operating as a lever control,`

Figure 4 is: a fragmentary enlarged vertical section of the device for controlling the flow of water to the Valve operating lever,

ing means for the operating lever,

Figure 6 is a fragmentary view in perspective of the sewer pipe and `com'iectionswith thetank for' afloat,

Figure 7 is ay vertical section taken along the line T T of Figure `2, and

Figure 8 is a vertical section showing the gate valve cutting'olf water from` the sewer to the building. Referring more particularly to the drawings, `I'l designates al housing in which a plurality of instrumentalites are placed forV controlling the closing of the `sewer conduit Il and of a waste pipe I2. The pipe |22 is connected with the usual Waste pipe vof 'thebuilding and leads to an auxiliary sewage tank I3.

A gatevalve I 4', shown more particularly in Fig. 8 is located in a valve casing I5 incorporated in thefp-ipe II,- This Valve has its lower end I6 formed into a cutting edge so that when it is lowered with sufficient pressure it will cut through any foreignmatter such as paper, rags, etc., so th`at"`the`valve`will be properly seated in the V- shapedseat I 1 and absolutely prevent the passage 'f any `water in a rearward manner through theconduit 4II when the vvalve is closed.

A stem `I8`connects the valve I4 with a link I9 and is pivotally connected at 2li to a split collar 2I"cl`amped on an operating tube or lever 22. The lever 22 is-"pivotally mounted `at the upper endof a standard 23 and this standard is secured tothefloorg "ofthehousing I0. As shown more particularlyinFigs. 3 and 4 the lever is hollow to provideafpassageway 25 from a exible hose 25 to1`a`casing"2il which is secured to the outer end of the lever V22,`

The passageway in the lever 22 is closed at 28 to'lpr'event 'water -from entering the lower end of said tubemor levert. The flexible tube 26 is connectedat one endto a nipple 29 leading into the passage `25 inthe lever 22 while the other end of the tubfeZzis connected to a pipe 30 in which is incorporated a valve 3i.4 The pipe 30 passes through the housing Ii), asshown at 32, and is connected witha fresh water supply under sufcient pressure to force water through the tube 22 andinto the casing 2l.

` A valve stern 33` is `connected at 3151 with a collar 35 secured to the inner end ofthe lever 22. 'Ihe stemextendsinto a valve member 36 and a valve connected tothe stem is identical with that shown in Fig. 3. The Valve member 36 is incorporated in the waste pipe I2 andthis valve is closed alternately when the valve I4 is opened and vice versa.

`Afloattank 40 is placed in communication with the sewer pipeII by means of alpipe 4l which is `flattened or oval in cross section so that when the l water backs upin the second `conduit Il, this waterwilliflow into thetankAand raise a float Uli 42 a predetermined distance. A rod 43 extends upwardly from the float 42 and passes through an opening 44 in a bracket 45 which supports the pipe 38 above the bracket.

The rod is supplied with apin 46 which moves in an elongated slot 41 formed at one end of a lever 48 which is connected to a stem 49 of the Valve 3| which controls the flow of fresh water from the source to the interior of the lever 22.

A standard 58 is secured to the outer end of the bracket 45 and pivotally supports a lever 5| at 52. One end or the lever is provided with an elongated slot 53 in which rides a pin 54 secured to the upper end of the rod 43.

A rod 55 is provided with an elongated slot 56 in which rides a pin 51 secured to an end of the lever The opposite end of the rod 55 is connected to a crank 58 and this crank is secured to a stem 59 of a valve 68. This valve releases water from the pipe 22 and is incorporated in a drain 6I extending from the tubular lever 22.

The casing 21 is in communication with the tubular lever 22, as shown at 62. A pair of guides 63 and 64 extend outwardly from one end of the casing 21 and engage a post 65 secured to the floor 24 of the housing I8. The post and the guides maintain the casing in a vertical plane when said casing is moved upwardly or downwardly. A cable 66 secured to the guide member 63 extends over a pulley 61 and a weight 68 is secured to the lower end of the cable. This weight is suflicient to maintain the casing 21 in its uppermost position when said casing is substantially free of water.

A cushioning means, generally designated by the numeral 18, is shown in Figs. 2 and 5 and includes a piston 1| movable in a cylinder 12. A spring 13 opposes the downward movement of the piston 1| so that the piston is normally maintained in its uppermost position in the cylinder. A rod 'I4 extends through an opening in the top of the cylinder 12 and is provided with a saddle 15 adapted to receive the tubular lever 22 when it has moved to its downward position.

A U-shaped pipe 16 has a valve 11 incorporated therein intermediate the ends of the U-shaped member and is adapted to be set in a predetermined position for controlling the ow of fluid from the topy to the bottom of the cylinder 12 and vice versa. One leg 18 of the member 16 is in communication with the top of the cylinder while the other end leg 18 of the member 16 is in communication with the lower end of the cylinder. This cylinder is partially lled with oil or some other suitable liquid which will flow from one end of the cylinder to the other, depending upon the position of the piston 1I. The rate of ow of the liquid to the opposite ends of the cylinder is controlled by the valve 11. Thus it will be seen that when the tubular member 22 is lowered as the casing 21 is lled with water, the saddle 15 will receive the said member and the lever will be gradually lowered and the rate of lowering at this time will depend upon the setting of the valve 11 as has been previously explained.

The casing 21 is provided with a valve 88 which is normally seated and mounted in a sleeve 8| which projects into the top of the casing 21. A spring 82 resting upon the top of a grid 83 normally maintains the valve in engagement with its seat. However, when water is discharged from the casing 21 the valve 88 will open against the tension of the spring 82 and permit air to enter said casing. 'I'he valve or the top of the casing may have a small passage therein to permit the escape of air when water is admitted to the casing.

It will be noted from Fig. 2 that the bottom 24 of the casing I8 is provided with a plurality of perforations 85 to permit water which has been discharged from the pipe 22 into the housing I8 to drain into a gravel pit 86. However, a valve is provided on the floor 24 to permit the discharge of water from the housing I8 by manual operation of the valve as desired. This valve, as shown in Figs. 2 and '7, consists of a nipple 81 having elongated slots 88 in its side walls and a rotatable sleeve 89 completely enclosing the 4nipple 81. The sleeve 89 is provided with elongated passages 98 adapted to align with the passages 88 to permit the water from the housing I8 to escape to the gravel pit 86. A socket wrench 9| having a handle 92 is adapted to operate the sleeve 89 and this handle extends through an opening 93 in the top of the housing I8, whereby the stem may be manipulated exteriorly of the housing.

The top of the housing is provided with an opening 94 and this is normally closed by a cover plate 95 and this cover plate is maintained in position by means of the thumb screws 96.

The tank I3 serves as an auxiliary tank to collect the sewage during the time that the valve I4 is closed whereby waste from the building will be conducted to this tank until the time arrives when the valve I4 is automatically opened by the lowering of the water in the sewer and the conduit II.

The pipe I2 leads directly into the tank I3 and has embodied therein a valve |88 operated by a stem IUI. A lever |82 is connected to the end of said stem and is provided with a yoke |83 which is received by a rod |84.

A float |85 is connected to the rod |84 and normally rests upon the bottom |86 of the tank I3 when said tank is empty but is elevated by the rising sewage.

A stop |81 is adjustably secured to the rod and is adapted to engage the yoke |83 and raise the lever |82 for closing the valve |88 when the sewage has elevated the float and rod to a predetermined height in the tank.

A second lever |88 is secured to the end of a valve stem |89 and this lever has a yoke II8 receiving the rod |84 and spaced from the yoke |83. An adjustable stop I II is secured to the rod |84 above the yoke and is adapted to engage the yoke |I8 and move the lever downwardly when the float |85 is lowered.

A pipe I|2 enters the tank I3 and has a nozzle |I3 for discharging compressed air into the tank Aon top of the sewage in said tank with suicient pressure to force the sewage through an outlet pipe II4 to the sewer. A valve II5 is mounted in the pipe I I2 and is operatively connected with the stem |89. The pipe I|2 is in communication with a compressed air supply (not shown) A link II 6 is pivotally connected at its ends with the yokes I 83 and II8 so that when the yoke |83 is elevated by the stop |81 to close the valve |88 to cut off sewage from the pipe I2, the valve |I5 is opened to admit compressed air.

When the sewage is lowered sulciently in the tank I3, the float |85 and rod |84 will have reached a position such that the stop III will engage the yoke I I8 and thus depress both levers |82 and ||8. The valve I|5 will be closed to cut off the compressed air and valve |88 will be opened to admit sewage when the valve 36 has been opened as has been previously explained.

The outlet pipe II4 has an open end disposed 75 in a sump l l6 projecting lbelowtheiioor M0601' the .tank I3 .andin open communication with said tank. `Said pipe has `an extension II1 located exteriorly of tankand this extension is connected .with the sewer :at a point which is Vbetweenthe valve `I4 and the main sewerpipe.

An elevated pocket, IIB von the top 1I I9 of the tank permits the rodito be elevated V,the proper height. A manhole |20 `is ,removably secured at |2I to the topof the tank to permit a mechanic to inspect, tomake .adjustments of the stops 891 and lll and to make `repairs when necessary.

The operation of my device is as follows: `The parts ofthe apparatus shown in Fig. 2 are such that the `valve I4 in the conduit `I I is open andthe casing 21 is `in its .elevatedposition At rthis time thefvalveSI for the freshwater supply is closed andthe drain valve 166 is open. At this timealso the float 42 is `in its lowermost position `in the tank 4D `and. `the waste Water from the building is normally passing through `the conduit II to the sewage. When the waterrffrom the sewer, how-v ever, backs up `into `the :conduit-II suiiiciently for the water to owinto thepipe '4I' to the tank 40 the :oat 42 is then elevated by the rise oi water in the tank 40 andthe rod 43 will then elevate the end of the lever 43 and open the Valve 35|. The water then passesthrough the tubing 26 into the hollow lever 22 and thence into the casing 2'1 until the casing is sufficiently iilled with water to cause the same tobe lowered by gravity. It is to be borne in mind, however, that when the float 42 is elevated the lever 5| is operated and the link 55 is then moved downwardly, closing valve BIJ to the drain. 'Ihe casing 21 having moved down against the action of the weight 6B will cause the tubular lever 22 to be received by the saddle 15 and this casing is normally maintained in its lowered position which is slightly above a horizontal plane passing through the axis of the lever 22.

The weighted lever 22 through the use of the water-filled casing 21 exerts considerable pressure on the stem I8 of the valve I4 so that when the valve is lowered the cutting edge of the valve will force its way through any foreign matter to provide for a neat seating of this valve. When `the valve I4 is closed the valve 36 will be open so that waste water from the housing or building will pass through the pipe I2, to the tank I3.

When the sewage in this tank reaches a predetermined level compressed air will force the sewage from the tank to the sewer by means of the pipe, as has been previously explained.

When the water in the conduit I is lowered the float 42 is likewise lowered, thereby moving the lever 48 and cutting off the water to the hollow lever 22 in the casing 21.

The lowering of the float 22 also causes the lever to be moved and likewise the stem 55 connected with the crank 58 of the valve 6I). However, since the lever 22 is in its lowermost position, the pin 51 is in the uppermost position of the slot 56 so that when the float 42 is lowered the stem 55 will be shifted and the valve 60 will be moved to open position to permit water from the casing 21 and the tubular lever 22 to be discharged into the housing I I).

As soon as the water is discharged from the casing 21 and the tubular lever 22 the weight 68 will then return the casing 21 to its uppermost 60 since yotherwise thevalve would be ,opened as soongasfthe lever started nto `descend whence the Weight 68 would return vthe casing to itsiupward position.` .i i I I i 1. `A back-water control for sewers comprising alhousing, a `tube pivotally mounted intermediate its ends, a casingat onelend of the tube and in communication therewith, means for supplying water to the tube and casing tocause tilting of said casing and tube, a valve controlling the supply means, a ,sewer pipe, a `float chamber in communication with the sewerpipe, a `float in the chamber and means connecting `the float with the valvejso that when the iioat rises the valve will be opened, a gate valve in the sewer pipe and connected to the tube so that when said tubeiis lowered the valvew'ill be closed,.a drain for the tube, and `means operated by the float for opening Lthedrain when the iioat is lowered.

2. A back-water Vcontrol for sewers comprising aihousing, a tubeipivotally mounted intermediate itsiends, a `casing at one end of the: tube and in communication therewith, means forrsupplying` water to thetube. and casing to causestilting of said casing andtube, a valve controlling the supply means, a sewer pipe, a float chamber in communication with the sewer pipe,.a float inthe chamber and means connecting the float with the valve so that when the iioatrisesithe valve will vbe opened, agatevalvein the sewer pipe and connected to the tube at one side of the pivotal mounting of the tube so that when said tube is lowered the valve will be closed, a drain for the tube, means operated by the float for opening the drain when the iioat is lowered, an auxiliary tank, an auxiliary sewer pipe leading to the tank, a valve in the pipe, means connecting the valve with the tube at the other side of the pivotal mounting so that when the gate valve in the sewer pipe is closed the valve in the auxiliary sewer pipe will be open.

3. A back-water control for sewers comprising a tube pivotally mounted intermediate its ends, a casing secured to and communicating with a free end of the tube, a water supply means for the tube and casing, a valve controlling the supply means, a oat elevated by a back-water rise in the sewer, connected to the valve and causing opening of said Valve to fill the casing, a sewer cut-oli valve operated by the lowering tube, a drain connected to the tube, a valve controlling the drain, means connecting the last-mentioned valve with the float so that when water is lowered in the sewer the oat will cause the last-mentioned valve to o-pen and the first-mentioned valve to close, and means to cause the casing and the tube to rise when said members have been drained.

4. A back-water control for sewers comprising a tube pivotally mounted intermediate its ends, a casing secured to and communicating with a free end of the tube, a water supply means for the tube and casing, a valve controlling the supply means, a float elevated by a back-water rise in the sewer, connected to the valve and causing opening of said valve toflll the casing, a sewer cut-off valve operated by the lowering tube, a drain connected to the tube, a valve controlling the drain and means connecting the last-mentioned valve with the float so that when water is lowered in the sewer the float will cause the last-mentioned valve to open and the iirst-mentioned valve to close, means to cause the casing and the tube to rise when said members have been drained, the connecting means for the lastmentioned valve including means to prevent opening of said valve when the tube and casing are lowered.

5. A sewage control for buildings comprising a conduitv leading from a building to a sewer, a valve for closing the conduit when water from the sewer rises in .the conduit, means for closing said valve, an auxiliary tank for sewage from the building when the conduit is closed, a waste pipe of the building connected with the tank, a valve in the waste pipe adapted to be opened by the means which closes the rst valve, means for causing pressure to be applied to the interior of the tank for forcing out sewage, a float-controlled means in the tank for causing actuation of the last-mentioned means.

6. A sewage control for buildings comprising a conduit from a building to a sewer, a valve in the conduit, an auxiliary tank for sewage, a. waste pipe leading to the tank, a valve in the pipe, means for alternately closing the valve in the conduit and opening the valve in the pipe, means controlling the said last-mentioned means when the water backs up in the conduit.

7. A sewage control for buildings comprising a conduit from a building to a sewer, a valve in the conduit, an auxiliary tank for sewage, a waste pipe leading to the tank, a valve in the pipe, means for alternately closing the valve in the conduit and opening the valve in the pipe, means controlling said last-mentioned means when the water backs up in the conduit, an outlet pipe from the tank to the sewer, a float-controlled means for causing the sewage in the tank to be forced from the tank to the sewer.

' 8. A sewage control for buildings, a conduit leading from the building to the sewer, a tank in communication with the conduit, a slidably mounted valve in the conduit, said valve having a cutting edge, weighted means for closing the valve with suflicient force to cause the valve to cut through foreign matter collecting at the valve, said weighted means including a casing, means for supplying the casing with a liquid when the sewage from the conduit rises in the tank, and means actuated by the rise of the sewage in the tank for controlling the supplying means.

9. In a sewage control for buildings, a conduit leading from the building to the sewer, a tank in communication with the conduit, a slidably mounted valve in the conduit, said valve having a cutting edge, weighted means for closing the valve with suicient force to cause the valve to cut through foreign matter collecting at the valve, and cushioning means for the weighted means to protect the valve against injury, said weighted means including a casing, means for supplying the casing with a liquid when the sewage from the conduit rises in the tank, and means actuated by the rise of the sewage in the tank for controlling the supplying means.

DENNIS H. ANDERSON. 

